Expatriate Bangladeshis will have the opportunity to cast proxy votes in the upcoming national elections, allowing someone else to vote on their behalf if they are abroad during the election. Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) A M M Nasir Uddin disclosed this after a meeting with British High Commissioner Sarah Cook at the Election Commission (EC) headquarters in Agargaon, Dhaka. The meeting lasted for an hour before the CEC briefed journalists.

The Election Commission is working to ensure that the national elections take place within the scheduled timeframe, aiming to hold the polls by December. To meet this timeline, the election schedule must be announced by October.

Speaking about the discussions, the CEC stated that the British High Commissioner inquired about Bangladesh’s election preparations and expressed a willingness to support the country’s democratic transition. Topics covered in the meeting included election observers, the voter list, party registration, and procurement processes. The EC is reviewing its observer policies and will finalize observer appointments soon.

Nasir Uddin emphasized that the commission is mindful of the deadline, with December as the likely election month, requiring an October schedule announcement. He reassured the high commissioner that preparations are in place to meet this deadline.

When asked about external assistance, the CEC highlighted the need for training election agents, as many are unfamiliar with electoral rules. He also stressed the importance of educating foreign observers about Bangladesh’s election procedures and laws.

Regarding new political party registrations, the CEC mentioned that the chief advisor had already signaled election timing by stating it would occur in December or January.

After the meeting, British High Commissioner Sarah Cook described the discussion as productive, providing insight into the commission’s activities. She reiterated the UK’s commitment to supporting electoral reforms and fostering a fair, transparent, and inclusive election process in Bangladesh.

Separately, the National Identity Registration Division is considering allowing multiple spouses’ names to be included on National ID cards. Director General A S M Humayun Kabir noted that they frequently receive correction requests from second wives seeking database inclusion. The commission is exploring whether this could be preemptively addressed through an updated registration form, potentially preventing future complications.